Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) [India], May 1 (HBTV): Three Naxalites were killed in a massive anti-Naxal operation launched by security forces in the Karegutta area of Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh, police officials said on Thursday.

According to officials, the search operation began on April 21.

The operation followed the recent surrender of five Naxals, including four women, in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district, according to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

'Five active Naxals, namely Dasri Dhruv (26), Channu Gota (28), Jyoti Vadde (19), Sita Vadde (19), and Sunita Vadde (25), surrendered today. The surrendered Naxals were handed over a cheque of INR 50,000 each,' the ITBP stated.

Following the surrender, Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Gangaram Chavan told mediapersons that the surrendered Naxalites would receive all benefits under the government’s surrender policy.

'The surrendered Naxalites hail from Maad (Chhattisgarh) and Nuapada (Odisha) divisions. The Naxalites will be given all the benefits provided by the government. There are Naxalites of different ranks who have surrendered. Some Naxalites have a bounty of INR 5 lakh, while others have a bounty of INR 8 lakh,' said the Sukma SP.

Earlier this month, 26 Maoists, including three carrying cash rewards, surrendered before senior police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials in Dantewada.

(ANI)